History
In ancient times Albania was known as Illyria, named after Illyrian tribes living in the area. Neighbouring Greeks founded trading colonies along the coast in Durres and Vlore.

Illyria was conquered by the Romans and later became part of the Byzantine Empire when the Roman Empire divided. In fact, a number of Roman Emperors were of Illyrian descent.

Over the years various peoples invaded the region. Ottoman rule began in 1468 and lasted for over four hundred years.

Albania achieved independence after the Balkan Wars (1912-13), its borders redrawn and some territory lost. The Albanian leader, Ahmet Zogu, became King of the Albanians in 1928.

On the eve of the Second World War (1939) Italy invaded Albania and the King left for exile in Greece. Following the War, Albania became a Communist state led by Enver Hoxha.

Albania aligned itself with the USSR and became a member of the Warsaw Pact. However between 1961 and 1978 Albania moved its allegiance to China. (Albania left the Warsaw Pact following the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia).

Albania underwent a period of political change after the collapse of communism in the 1990s.

EconomyDuring the 1990s Albania implemented various economic reforms. At this time unemployment was high and many people lost their savings after the collapse of pyramid investment schemes.

Many young Albanians left the country to seek work in places such as Greece and Italy. However, the economy benefited from remittances sent home by such economic migrants.